President Trump’s Justice Department is reportedly preparing for a significant confrontation with the incoming Democratic-controlled Congress in January, with federal prosecutors said to have been told to adopt a “wartime” footing.
According to Associated Press reporting published Friday, November 13, a senior aide to Attorney General Todd Blanche has warned federal prosecutors that the department must adopt an aggressive approach to tackling the expected investigations into the administration.
President Donald Trump departs the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn, Monday, April 21, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
President Donald Trump participates in the swearing-in ceremony for Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Mehmet Oz, Friday, April 18, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)
The warning comes as the Department of Justice handles its own internal turmoil, with senior officials already resigning and Democrats preparing to investigate several controversial criminal cases that were brought against President Donald Trump’s political opponents.
And at the same time, the Trump administration is facing backlash over the president’s relationship with wealthy donors, with Democratic lawmakers promising to expand investigations into the fundraising operations behind some of the president’s ongoing construction projects — including the famous ballroom.
“Wartime” Footing
According to reports, Aakash Singh, a senior aide to Attorney General Todd Blanche, told federal prosecutors during a conference call earlier this week that they should adopt a “wartime” footing.
The comments were made to U.S. attorneys from across the country. During the meeting, Singh reportedly also said that federal prosecutors risked being forced out of their positions.
But in the wake of the reporting, the Department of Justice insisted that the warning referred to law enforcement priorities, rather than being a direct threat against congressional Democrats.
The department’s spokesperson, Kiersten Pels, specifically said that the reference to “wartime” preparations concerned public safety.
“The ‘wartime’ reference had everything to do with public safety. In several districts, newly elected state and local leaders are no longer interested in partnering with federal law enforcement to keep their communities safe,” Pels said.
“U.S. Attorneys were reminded to be ready to protect their communities from those breaking federal law,” the spokesperson continued.
Senior Officials Resign
The news comes as the Justice Department undergoes several leadership changes in the wake of the November 3 midterm elections.
Four senior officials have resigned since the election, including former head of the department’s Civil Division, Brett Shumate.
Civil Rights Division chief Harmeet Dhillon also departed, along with National Security Division head John Eisenberg and South Florida U.S. Attorney Jason Redin Quiñones.
Those resignations could also cause problems for the Trump administration as it tries to defend its staff and others in President Trump’s orbit from expected Democratic-led investigations once the new Congress convenes in January.
Attorney General Blanche also clarified on Thursday that the Justice Department has not launched criminal investigations into Democratic lawmakers who President Trump accused of threatening or even extorting Republican officials.
“There are no ongoing investigations, criminal investigations into words that incoming senators or congressmen have said,” Blanche said.
When asked for an example of a Democrat crossing the line into criminal activity, he said, “I’d never said that point has been crossed.”
The comments came after White House counsel Will Scharf publicly warned Robert Garcia, who is expected to become the next chairman of the House Oversight Committee, that politically motivated investigations could constitute criminal misconduct.
Democrats Intend to Investigate Trump’s Fundraising
Undeterred, Democrats are already laying the foundations for extensive investigations into the Trump administration before they formally assume control of Congress in January.
On Thursday, November 12, Democratic legislators announced an inquiry into Meredith O’Rourke, a prominent fundraiser for President Donald Trump, who reportedly facilitated over $800 million in contributions to projects organized by the president.
Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal, working with Rep. Robert Garcia, are now seeking information about whether corporate donors received favorable treatment from the government in exchange for their donations.
Specifically, the investigation focuses on the construction of the White House ballroom and the planned Trump presidential library.
Democrats to Investigate Prosecutions
Incoming House Judiciary Chairman Jamie Raskin is also preparing to investigate the Justice Department’s handling of criminal cases against President Donald Trump’s political opponents, including former FBI Director James Comey, former CIA Director John Brennan, and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who were all involved in the persecution of President Trump.
Raskin reportedly intends to look into the dismissal of several career prosecutors and decisions related to the administration’s $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund — a taxpayer-funded account established in May 2026 as part of a settlement agreement in President Donald J. Trump v. Internal Revenue Service.
The investigations come after federal prosecutors failed to indict former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson on October 27, after they sought charges related to her testimony before Congress about the January 6 Capitol riot.
Justice Department lawyer Neville Hedley confirmed during a federal court hearing that a grand jury had rejected a proposed indictment, and multiple sources have since identified Hutchinson as the subject of it.
About the Author: Jack Buckby
Jack Buckby is a British researcher and analyst specializing in defense and national security, based in New York. His work focuses on military capability, procurement, and strategic competition, and he produces and edits analysis for policy and defense audiences. He brings extensive editorial experience, with a career output spanning over 1,000 articles at National Security Journal, and has previously authored books and papers on extremism and deradicalization.
